Soccer Extreme : Christian Gérard Alvaro Gonzáles (born in Montevideo, Uruguay, 30 December 1976) is an Uruguayan-born Indonesian footballer who currently plays as a striker for Persib Bandung. He has been 4 times Liga Indonesia top scorer and has scored 150 goals in the Liga Indonesia. In his early career he played along with Alvaro Recoba in the Uruguay U-20. As of November 3, 2010 he officially holds an Indonesian passport and has become the first naturalized player to be called up to the Indonesian national football team.Career in Indonesia
PSM Makassar
He started playing in Indonesia in 2003, joining PSM Makassar. In that season he scored 27 goals. PSM won the Liga Indonesia in that season. He was fined Rp 20 million for hitting one of the officials from Persita Tangerang and was suspended.
Persik Kediri
Free from suspension, he joined and led Persik Kediri to become champions of Liga Indonesia in 2006. In 2008 he was sentenced to suspension by the PSSI for unsportsmanlike behaviour. A financial crisis at Persik Kediri led Persik management to rationalize salaries. Gonzáles was one of the few players who do not agree Persik against the decision and looked for another club.
Persib Bandung
On January 30, 2009, Persib Bandung management announced that they had recruited Gonzáles with remission from PSSI chairman Nurdin Halid. Gonzáles was contracted as a loan from Persik Kediri and is paid 60 million rupiahs per month by Persib Bandung.
He debuted as a starter in the Super League for Persik against Persipura Jayapura 1–1 draw thanks to a goal he scored. In 2008 he played 16 times in the League and scored 14 goals, making Gonzáles a top scorer in the Super League.
After his contract at Persik Kediri expired, he was immediately hired by Persib Bandung. In the 2009–10 pre-season, he scored a goal for Persib in the East Java Government Cup. In the 2009–2010 season, he scored 18 goals.
International career
Although Gonzales began his career in Indonesia as an Uruguayan, he became an Indonesian national on November 3, 2010 after a six-year wait, including not going home to his father's funeral. He is the first naturalized football player in Indonesia and the first to join the Indonesia national football team. His debut with the national team was on November 21, 2010, in a friendly game against Timor-Leste, where he scored twice in a 6–0 win. He scored his third goal in his second appearance against Chinese Taipei in a friendly match, Indonesia won 2–0.He scored his fourth goal in his third international cap with Indonesia against Malaysia in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, Indonesia went on to win the match 5–1.
| Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 November 2010 | Gelora Sriwijaya, Palembang, Indonesia |  Timor-Leste | 3–0 | 6–0 | Friendly |
| 2 | 21 November 2010 | Gelora Sriwijaya, Palembang, Indonesia | Timor-Leste | 4–0 | 6–0 | Friendly |
| 3 | 24 November 2010 | Gelora Sriwijaya, Palembang, Indonesia |  Chinese Taipei | 1–0 | 2–0 | Friendly |
| 4 | 1 December 2010 | Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia |  Malaysia | 2–1 | 5–1 | 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup |
| 5 | 16 December 2010 | Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia |  Philippines | 0–1 | 0–1 | 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup |
| 6 | 19 December 2010 | Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia | Philippines | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup |
Controversy
Gonzáles is notorious for his volatile temper. Since he began his Indonesian career in 2003, he has been punished by PSSI five times
- In the second round of Liga Indonesia in 2004, Gonzáles hit Persita Tangerang manager at Benteng Stadium. He was sentenced to a one year suspension by PSSI, but was playing again after six months.
- In the final round of Liga Indonesia in 2006, Gonzáles headbutted PSIS Semarang striker, Emmanuel de Porras.He was sentenced to as much as a three games suspension, but this was never enforced.
- In 2007, he spat at the referee, Hidayat in match between Persik and Pelita Jaya.He was sentenced to as many as three games for it, but this was never enforced.
- In the round of eight in the Indoensian league in 2007, he fought with Persija defender, Abanda Herman. He was suspended for three games but this was never enforced.
- In November 2008, PSSI Komdis sentenced Gonzales to a 1 year ban for hitting defender PSMS Medan, Erwinsyah Hasibuan. He appealed to PSSI, but the appeal was rejected, and the Appeal Commission strengthen sanctions given by the Disciplinary Commission. But in February 2009 he was declared free to play for Persib Bandung after PSSI chairman Nurdin Halid gave him remission.
Personal life
Gonzáles, then a Christian, married Eva Nurida Siregar, an Indonesian Muslim in Uruguay in 1995. From his marriage with Siregar, Gonzáles has two children (Fernando and Florencia). He also has two children from a previous relationship (Amanda and Michael. Gonzáles converted to Islam in 2003 and took the Islamic name Mustafa Habibi.
Gonzales FamilyTrivia
He is one of the most lethal strikers in the history of the Indonesian football competition. His ability to kick, head, score, and in positioning and game vision are renowned, and he has a strong physique.
When playing in Uruguay, he was an attacking midfielder. He was not at his best before finally moving to Indonesia and joining PSM Makassar as a striker. Since then he has proved his quality as a powerful striker.
In 2006, he was the most expensive player in the Liga Indonesia according to the data from the Indonesian Football Association at Rp 1.2 billion. (wikipedia)